CVE-2005-0579: nxagent in FreeNX before 0.2.8 does not properly handle when the XAUTHORITY environment variable is not set, w

Routine

MEDIUM 4.6DOWNGRADE

CVE-2005-0579 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 4.6) affecting freenx. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

nxagent in FreeNX before 0.2.8 does not properly handle when the XAUTHORITY environment variable is not set, which allows local users to access the X server without X authentication.

Why this priority

Public exploit reference

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	4.6 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	0.4% (top 65%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2005-02-25
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: freenx

Last updated 2026-06-16 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2005-02-25 05:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:11 UTCUpdated Record last modified

freenx freenx DOWNGRADE

Affected: 0.2.0 · 0.2.1 · 0.2.2 · 0.2.3 · 0.2.4 · 0.2.5 · 0.2.6 · 0.2.7

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 0.2.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy freenx || rpm -q freenx || freenx --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 0.2.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison freenx sudo apt install freenx=<VERSION_BEFORE_0.2.0> sudo apt-mark hold freenx

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list freenx sudo dnf downgrade freenx-<VERSION_BEFORE_0.2.0> sudo dnf versionlock add freenx

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2005-0579?

freenx: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2005-0579 being exploited?

CVE-2005-0579 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2005-0579 affect?

CVE-2005-0579 affects freenx. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.6). nxagent in FreeNX before 0.2.8 does not properly handle when the XAUTHORITY environment variable is not set, which allows local users to access the X server without X authentication.

How urgent is CVE-2005-0579?

Priority 30/100. Public exploit reference

References

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